Starco reports having laid the foundation stone for its new central warehouse complex in Winsen, about 30 kilometres south of the German city of Hamburg. The new complex is expected to enter operation by 1 May 2012 and will serve as the central warehouse for the supply of wheels, tyres and associated products to both Starco’s OEM and aftermarket customers in Western Europe.
Starting with its partnership with tyre maker Giti and later through its own production of wheels, over the past decade Starco has developed a strong presence as a supplier of wheels to OEM customers in the European trailer and caravan sector. To service this sector Starco has opted, despite having its own established distribution and logistics network, to renew its long-standing cooperation with Germany’s Otto Just. The German wheel systems supplier and distributor serves the German-speaking and Nordic caravan and trailer markets
Earlier this month, Pirelli was awarded the Ducati’s 2010 Best Product Innovation Award, an award offered by the motorcycle manufacturer to its most innovative supplier of the year. As a way of determining who receives this coveted award, the Italian firm utilises a committee made up of members of its Purchasing, Technical, Quality and Logistics departments; the committee analyses the performance of its suppliers from all evaluated aspects. In particular, Pirelli gained recognition from Ducati for its work in its development of the Scorpion Trail tyres for the Ducati Multistrada and the new 240/45 ZR17 size Diablo Rosso II for the Ducati Diavel.
The government must heed the advice of its own MPs and overhaul its fuel duty policy to avoid doing further damage to the industry and the economy, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has warned. During a four-hour debate in the House of Commons, Chloe Smith, the Economic Under Secretary to the Treasury, heard how high fuel prices have damaged businesses and communities, restricted economic growth, hurt motorists and stoked inflation and unemployment across the country. MPs told how hauliers and businesses in their constituencies have suffered at the hands of the highest rates of fuel duty in the EU and struggled to remain competitive and solvent, citing evidence from the FTA and other organisations.
During a four-hour debate in the House of Commons, Chloe Smith, the Economic Under Secretary to the Treasury, heard how high fuel prices have damaged businesses and communities, restricted economic growth, hurt motorists and stoked inflation and unemployment across the country. MPs told how hauliers and businesses in their constituencies have suffered at the hands of the highest rates of fuel duty in the EU and struggled to remain competitive and solvent, citing evidence from the FTA and other organisations.
German company the Fiege Group, who handles logistics for Bridgestone in several European countries, reports it has begun supplying the Swiss market via cross-border distribution from its facility in Lahr, in southwest Germany. The assumption of Swiss distribution logistics has transformed the Fiege facility in Lahr from a national distribution warehouse into an internationally-operating distribution centre, the company adds. In co-operation with Bridgestone and the respective national customs authorities, Fiege says it has come up with a distribution solution than enables the daily supply of tyres within a standard transit time of 24 hours, as well as the organisation of the entire customs clearance for the transport of the goods from Germany to Switzerland.
Michelin North America has been honoured with a 2011 Secretary of Defense Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) Award, reports Tire Review. The award was presented to the French manufacturer at a ceremony last week at the Aerospace Industries Association Fall Product Support Conference. MNA’s aircraft tyre unit was a PBL Component-Level Award recipient for supplying tyres to the US Navy.
Do not pass Go…it’s straight to jail for the man the Environment Agency has dubbed the “million tyre man.” The agency reports that Carl David Steele, operator of Lincolnshire-based FCM Logistics (Tyres) Ltd, received a 15 month sentence on November 7 after pleading guilty to six offences and two further offences on behalf of his company, which is now in liquidation. All charges relate to the illegal storage of hundreds of thousands of tyres at environmentally sensitive locations in Essex, Norfolk, Yorkshire, Worcestershire and Lincolnshire.
Tire Review reports that China’s Qingdao Doublestar Industrial Co. Ltd. is opening its first warehouse and distribution center in the US, with an assist by Del-Nat Tire Corp. Executives from both companies were in the city of Memphis on November 5 to sign an agreement whereby Qingdao Doublestar will warehouse and distribute Doublestar brand medium radial truck tires from Del-Nat’s facility in South Memphis.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is warning that many of Britain’s roads will become more hazardous for motorists as the frosts and local council cuts bite. In spite of the last two winters of severe cold, snow and ice, many councils are planning to cut back on winter road services, including salting. The suggestion is that this could lead to more accidents. Last year there was a 37 per cent increase in the number of cars overturning in snow and ice, according to the IAM.
Continental’s HSR2 regional tyre range has been expanded by the addition of three new sizes. The German tyre maker has launched the HSR2 XL front axle tyre in size 385/65 R 22.5 for axle loads up to ten tonnes plus sizes 315/70 R 22.5 and 315/80 R 22.5, which offer an axle load of up to eight tonnes. All new sizes have been designed with the coming generation of Euro 6 truck engines and their heavier exhaust gas treatment systems in mind.
Klarius Group has appointed Heloisa Monzani as commercial Ddrector for Quinton Hazell España to help ensure the company’s ambitious plans are realised for the automotive aftermarket. With a wealth of commercial insight drawn from management roles working with major international companies and over 12 years management experience in the European automotive aftermarket, Ms Monzani is now a key member of the international management team and has been given the explicit task of driving a highly customer focussed growth strategy in the Iberian region.
Sailun has appointed a new marketing and administration controller to its team based at the Sailun European Head Office in Birmingham. According to the company, Isabelle de Grailly brings multi-lingual communication skills and “a wealth of experience and knowledge in the handling and controlling of product logistics.”
The US Defense Logistics Agency has awarded Goodyear Tire and Rubber and Michelin North America contracts to supply tyres to US military users had home and abroad. Goodyear’s fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract is to a maximum value of US$61,409,317 while the maximum value of the Michelin fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract is $35,987,004. Both contracts cover supply to Army, Air Force and Marine Corps users and have a completion date of September 22, 2013.
Starco Europe has announced the appointment of Anders Pålsson, an experienced Swedish business leader who has spent the last nine years as MD and CEO of Hilding Anders. In that time he guided the Swedish bed manufacturer from an annual turnover of 3,000 million SEK to 7,000 million SEK. Special wheel and tyre manufacturer and supplier Starco is preparing to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary.
Michelin North America has been acknowledged by the US military for its tyre supply and logistics services. At the 2011 DLA Industry Conference and Exhibition the tyre maker received two Best Value Awards from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). Michelin Truck Tires and Michelin Aircraft Tires each received their fourth consecutive award at a ceremony held during the conference. Out of the more than 7,000 firms supplying equipment to the military, Michelin was one of 182 companies recognised for meeting performance requirements in the Automated Best Value System.
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